A member of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron Air Training Corps from 1947, reaching the rank of Sergeant, before leaving for National Service in 1950. Black was awarded the first flying scholarship in Scotland, gaining his private pilotís licence at Strathtay Aero Club, Perth.

Air Vice-Marshall Black was born in Aberdeen on 10 July 1932 and educated at Hilton Academy. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1950 and after undergoing flying training in Canada, joined No 263 Squadron at RAF Wattisham in 1952. In 1956 he was seconded to the Fleet Air Arm with a carrier-borne attack squadron. Two years later he took a course at the central Flying School and in 1959 became an Advanced Flying Instructor and later Flight Commander on Vampire T11s. In 1961 he was with No 74 Squadron for the introduction into service of the Lightening. This was followed be a period of staff duty at Headquarters Fighter Command. He became Commanding Officer No 111 Squadron equipped with Lightenings in 1964. A staff tour at the Ministry of Defence followed in 1966. A flying tour as Chief Flying Instructor at the Lightening Conversion Unit was followed by another tour as Commanding Officer No 5 Squadron, also equipped with Lightenings.

The Joint Services Staff College course was completed in 1970 and the following year he took up a staff appointment in the Ministry of Defence. In 1972 he was appointed Station Commander at RAF Wildenrath, which was followed by an appointment as Group Captain Operations, Headquarters 38 Group in 1974. Until 1976 he was closely involved with policy and concept of operations for the harrier Force, and was Field Force Commander of the RAF Germany squadrons for two years. After attending the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1977, he was appointed as Group Captain Operations No 11 (Fighter) Group. He became Commander Allied Sector One, Brockzetel in May 1980 in the rank of Air Commodore and became Aide-de-Camp to HM The Queen in July 1981. A tour as Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps followed in February 1983 and he held this appointment until September 1984. Following promotion, he became Deputy Chief Staff Operations at Headquarters Allied Air Force Central Europe, a post he held until April 1987.

The Air Vice-Marshall has over 5,000 flying hours on about 100 different types of aircraft. He is married and has two sons, both of whom serve as officers in the Royal Air Force. He retired from the RAF in July 1987. AVM Black is a member of the RAF Historical Society.